Leader of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, South-East Zone, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki has dismissed insinuations that the herdsmen were working towards Fulani territorial expansionism.
Alhaji Gidado, who stated this after a meeting of the joint executive council of the group in Enugu explained that the interest of MACBAN in the zone is purely economic.
He insisted that they are in the South East region only for the sake of selling their cows.
The MACBAN leader said the suspicion that herdsmen have an ulterior motive in going to the southeastern part of the country has created unhealthy relationships which according to him has made their members uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, he added that the herders in the region were interested in striking a harmonious relationship with the people of the area to avoid mutual suspicion.
Gidado stressed that the leadership of MACBAN under his watch in the South East has continued to dialogue well with the individual state governments in the zone adding that the dialogue gives hope for better understanding between herdsmen and their host communities.
He, however, vowed that the group would report any of its members found to be involved in criminal activities to law enforcement agencies as he also urged the governments of South-East states to ensure the protection of their members and cattle.